previous arrangement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous arrangement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an agreement or plan that was made before the current situation or context. Example: "We need to honor the previous arrangement we made regarding the meeting schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The BCS was unquestionably an improvement on the previous arrangement.

The Economist

She says the authorities have merely formalised the previous arrangement of issuing special papers.

The Economist

English-language tours of the Segovia castle are available only by previous arrangement.

The New York Times

In 1363, however, Margaret's death left the Tirol, by previous arrangement, to the Habsburgs, who retained it until 1918.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Condoleezza Rice, America's secretary of state, said that the previous arrangement should not be the basis for a lasting ceasefire.

The Economist

The two companies canceled a previous arrangement, in which Morgan Stanley would trade Lucent's debt for 200 million shares in the public offering.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It smooths out knots and anomalies in the previous arrangements and triples the space available for circulation.

The Guardian - Arts

Under previous arrangements, hospitals got the bulk of their income through "block contracts" which largely reflected past budgets.

The Economist

The report says that though there might have been "administrative inefficiencies" under previous arrangements for hiring individual interpreters directly, there were no "fundamental problems" with the previous service.

The Guardian

Tricia Leavette, social care lead in Brixham, says social work has become stronger within the care trust "than it ever has been under any previous arrangements".

The Guardian

"With immediate effect HMCTS will revert to the previous arrangements for all bookings due within 24 hours at the magistrates' courts … we will revert to previous arrangements for urgent bookings required for bail applications, deports and fast track applications in the first tier tribunal immigration and asylum and urgent bookings in the asylum support tribunal".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a "previous arrangement" with a current one, clearly articulate the specific changes and their implications to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "previous arrangement" vaguely. Always specify what aspects of the arrangement are being referred to, and how they differ from the present context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous arrangement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it refers to a prior agreement, understanding, or plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous arrangement" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a prior agreement, plan, or state of affairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly specify which aspects of the arrangement you're referencing and how they differ from the current situation. Consider synonyms like "prior agreement" or "earlier understanding" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior agreement

Replaces "arrangement" with "agreement", focusing on the contractual or consensual aspect of the preceding understanding.

earlier understanding

Substitutes "arrangement" with "understanding", emphasizing the mutual comprehension reached at a former time.

former agreement

Similar to "prior agreement", but places more emphasis on the fact that the agreement is no longer active.

previous understanding

A direct synonym, replacing "arrangement" with "understanding" without significantly altering the meaning.

original plan

Replaces "arrangement" with "plan", highlighting the intentionality and design of the initial setup.

initial agreement

Focuses on the starting point of an agreement, emphasizing that it was the first one established.

original terms

Shifts the focus to the specific conditions and stipulations that were initially set.

existing agreement

Highlights the presence and validity of an agreement before the current changes or discussions.

earlier scheme

Uses "scheme" instead of "arrangement", suggesting a more formalized or structured plan.

preceding setup

Emphasizes the physical or organizational structure that was in place before the current one.

FAQs

How can I use "previous arrangement" in a sentence?

You can use "previous arrangement" to refer to a past agreement or plan that has been superseded. For example, "The new policy differs significantly from the "previous arrangement" regarding remote work."

What is a synonym for "previous arrangement"?

Alternatives include "prior agreement", "earlier understanding", or "former agreement", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "previous arrangement" and "current arrangement"?

"Previous arrangement" refers to an agreement or plan that was in place before the present one, while "current arrangement" describes the existing or ongoing agreement.

Is it more formal to say "prior arrangement" or "previous arrangement"?

Both phrases are suitable for formal contexts. "Prior arrangement" might be perceived as slightly more formal due to the use of "prior".